President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially signed a Presidential Proclamation, bringing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act into full effect. The Act, aimed at fostering safe and inclusive learning environments in South African schools, was passed by Parliament on October 26, 2023, and received presidential assent on September 13, 2024.
The President announced:
I accordingly advised them that I would proceed to sign a Presidential Proclamation to bring the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act into operation from today. I have instructed the Minister of Basic Education to see to the full implementation of the BELA Act.
While the Act was initially set to be fully implemented, President Ramaphosa postponed the implementation of certain sections (4 and 5) for three months to allow for further consultation with stakeholders, particularly regarding admission policies and language provisions.
During this period, the Government of National Unity (GNU) engaged in discussions to address concerns and find common ground. Ultimately, the GNU agreed that the Act should proceed without further parliamentary amendments.
"I said that whilst I had assented to the Bill, in the spirit of cooperation and meaningful engagement, I would delay the implementation date of the BELA Act in totality by three months."
All bodies and all officials responsible for the implementation of this Act are required at all times to act in accordance with the Constitution, the law and the relevant policies and regulations.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Department of Basic Education will develop guidelines, norms, and standards by January 2025. These draft regulations will be made available for public comment by June 2025.
The BELA Act continues the work that has been done over the last 30 years to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education – from their early years and throughout their schooling.
